Indonesia president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is aiming to boost more international arrivals to the country in order to catch up with the achievements of its South-east Asian neighbours.
While the latest Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) shows Indonesia’s position jumping up 10 ranks (from 32nd to 22nd), the country is still lagging behind Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Indonesia hopes to leverage on Bali’s popularity as a destination to attract more visitors; Beratan temple in Bali, pictured
According to Jokowi, who recently spoke at the launch of the Digitalization of Event Licensing Services, he said that Indonesia has many great attractions. However, he opined that the best way to draw more crowds in is by holding international events, such as concerts, business events, summits, and sports.
Meanwhile, the tourism budget for the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE) this year is set at only 3.3 trillion rupiah (US$236 million) with a target of 14.3 million arrivals.
Its minister Sandiaga Uno remains optimistic about the arrival growth, and voiced that if connectivity is expanded, then the goal of 14.3 million arrivals, or even more, is a possible one.
“Indonesia is still top of travellers’ minds with Bali as the major attraction – what we need to do is to improve connectivity,” he said, adding that he has discussed with the minister of transportation to launch more flights from India, Australia, and Russia; increase services from Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul, as well as from North Asia, particularly from Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong.
In tackling the limited budget, the ministry is intensifying communications with business partners and expanding co-branding cooperation with private sectors to promote Indonesia as a destination.
On another note, Nia Niscaya, senior adviser and expert at MoTCE, observed the weakening of the Indonesian rupiah against the US dollar as an opportunity to attract more international arrivals.
“Indonesia offers a variety of attractions with various segments – what we can currently offer to foreign tourists is affordable luxury,” she said.
Ketut Ardana, managing director of Bali Sunshine Tour, told TTG Asia that the ministry could maximise its promotions through international travel marts in the country, such as the Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF).
He explained: “With the promotion budget small, rather than spending huge money for international events like ITB Berlin and WTM, it is best (for MoTCE to leverage on events like) BBTF to become its international promotion platform by inviting bigger number of buyers and allowing more Indonesian sellers to participate.”
Indonesia president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is aiming to boost more international arrivals to the country in order to catch up with the achievements of its South-east Asian neighbours.
While the latest Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) shows Indonesia’s position jumping up 10 ranks (from 32nd to 22nd), the country is still lagging behind Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
According to Jokowi, who recently spoke at the launch of the Digitalization of Event Licensing Services, he said that Indonesia has many great attractions. However, he opined that the best way to draw more crowds in is by holding international events, such as concerts, business events, summits, and sports.
Meanwhile, the tourism budget for the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE) this year is set at only 3.3 trillion rupiah (US$236 million) with a target of 14.3 million arrivals.
Its minister Sandiaga Uno remains optimistic about the arrival growth, and voiced that if connectivity is expanded, then the goal of 14.3 million arrivals, or even more, is a possible one.
“Indonesia is still top of travellers’ minds with Bali as the major attraction – what we need to do is to improve connectivity,” he said, adding that he has discussed with the minister of transportation to launch more flights from India, Australia, and Russia; increase services from Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul, as well as from North Asia, particularly from Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong.
In tackling the limited budget, the ministry is intensifying communications with business partners and expanding co-branding cooperation with private sectors to promote Indonesia as a destination.
On another note, Nia Niscaya, senior adviser and expert at MoTCE, observed the weakening of the Indonesian rupiah against the US dollar as an opportunity to attract more international arrivals.
“Indonesia offers a variety of attractions with various segments – what we can currently offer to foreign tourists is affordable luxury,” she said.
Ketut Ardana, managing director of Bali Sunshine Tour, told TTG Asia that the ministry could maximise its promotions through international travel marts in the country, such as the Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF).
He explained: “With the promotion budget small, rather than spending huge money for international events like ITB Berlin and WTM, it is best (for MoTCE to leverage on events like) BBTF to become its international promotion platform by inviting bigger number of buyers and allowing more Indonesian sellers to participate.”